CLEVELAND - It's Ross Tucker's chance to be boss now.

He is the latest to earn the opportunity to start at center. Acquired Aug. 8 from the New England Patriots for a conditional draft pick, Tucker will start when the Browns play the Detroit Lions tonight at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

``I feel ready to go,'' Tucker said. ``I feel extremely confident. As an old friend said, this isn't my first rodeo.''

Tucker is an interesting guy. Went to Princeton University. Majored in politics. (``I have no political aspirations,'' he said.) Remembers the name of every member of the media who meets him (and it's quite a horde). And knows their affiliation before they tell him.

It's no surprise given his Ivy League background, but IQ points are obviously a positive.

So learning new terminology has been ``no problem whatsoever,'' Tucker said. ``That's a strength of mine. That's definitely in my favor.''

Tucker's excitement is understandable. He went from being out of football for most of 2005 to competing to make the team in New England in 2006 to potential starter for the Browns.

Browns coach Romeo Crennel's understated analysis of Tucker's strengths probably fits the situation better.

Said Crennel: ``He's here.''

Which is better than not being here, one would guess. Crennel's matter-of-fact statement is probably understandable.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick and Vice President of Player Personnel Scott Pioli are not known for giving away top-level players. No team is.

But stranger things have happened that lead to players winning starting jobs.

``A lot of of times when you get an opportunity in the NFL it's through unusual circumstances,'' Tucker said.

Tucker has good size -- 6-foot-4, 316 pounds -- and tree-trunk legs. He can be nasty, but also has the intelligence to pick up the line calls and fronts.

He also has 24 starts in his career -- his reason for the rodeo comment.

``I've started 24 games and I don't know how many preseason games,'' he said. ``It's just another game to me. But I also realize the significance, the opportunity... and I can't wait to go out there and show them what I can do.''

Tucker joined the league in 2001 with the Washington Redskins, and has also spent time with the Dallas Cowboys (2002), Buffalo Bills (2003-04) and the Patriots (2005).

That means he has spent a lot of time learning new systems. He said that in Dallas he had to start a game because of injuries two weeks after he signed.

The bulk of his experience came in 2004 with the Bills. He started four games at center and two at guard. The last eight games of the season he started at left guard, and the Bills won six in a row.

Back surgery derailed his time in Buffalo, though, and he wound up signing with the Patriots late last season.

Tucker is well aware that the Browns have lost four centers this training camp. LeCharles Bentley tore a knee tendon on the first day of training camp. Then Bob Hallen retired with back issues. Alonzo Ephraim was signed, but he will be suspended the first four games of the season. Rob Smith sprained an ankle in Philadelphia.

``I don't really believe in karma,'' Tucker said. ``When you get out there Friday night and the guy is this far away from you (he held his fingers up, an inch or two apart), karma really doesn't matter anymore.''

Brownies ...

• Crennel is hoping for a generally better performance from his starters tonight. Quarterback Charlie Frye will play into the second quarter, and perhaps the entire first half. The starters also might play the entire half.

• One key in the second half will be the play of backup quarterbacks Ken Dorsey and Derek Anderson, neither of whom had a great week of practice. Crennel had said the backup spot should become clearer after the second game. ``We will go through this game and see how it plays out,'' he said.

• Ralph Brown, signed Aug. 6, will start at cornerback opposite Leigh Bodden.

• Linebacker Willie McGinest again might be given the night off. He did not play in the preseason opener.